Greg Olma
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Greg Olma | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Erie County Legislature from the 5th district | |
| In office 1993–2001 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Mazur |
| Succeeded by | David Dale |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gregory B. Olma March 4, 1960 |
| Died | March 14, 2025 (aged 65) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | State University of New York at Buffalo (BA, JD) |
| Occupation | Politician, public official, community activist |
Gregory B. Olma (March 4, 1960 – March 14, 2025) was an American politician and community activist from Buffalo, New York, associated especially with the Broadway–Fillmore area and Buffalo's East Side. He served in the Erie County Legislature from 1993 to 2001, representing the 5th district He was later known for neighborhood advocacy, public service in Erie County government, and participation in election-observation missions to Ukraine.
Early life and education
[edit]Olma attended St. Francis High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1986 and a Juris Doctor from the same institution in 1992.[1]
Political and civic career
[edit]Olma was elected to the Erie County Legislature in 1993 and served through 2001 as the legislator for the 5th district. Erie County legislative records list him as the 5th district legislator through the 2001 session, and the legislature's historical roster lists David Dale as his successor beginning in 2002.[2][3][4]
During and after his legislative career, Olma was closely identified with efforts to revive Buffalo's East Side. In 2001, City Limits described him as a local politician urging that refugees be encouraged to settle in depopulated Buffalo neighborhoods, arguing that they could help fill vacant homes, jobs, and commercial spaces.[5] A 2025 Buffalo News obituary-profile similarly described the revival of his home district on Buffalo's Polish East Side as his central political goal.[6]
According to a 2025 memorial resolution adopted by the New York State Assembly, Olma also served as a legislative assistant to a Buffalo common council member, as deputy commissioner of Erie County Parks and Recreation, and as a member of the Erie County Democratic Committee.[1] By 2015, Erie County's University Express program identified him as a former Erie County legislator and current deputy commissioner of parks, and in 2019 Buffalo Toronto Public Media reported that he joined a Western New York delegation observing Ukraine's presidential election.[7][8]
In 2024, Olma again appeared in Erie County election records as a successful candidate for Democratic county committee in Fillmore 21.[9]
Legacy
[edit]Olma died on March 14, 2025, at age 65.[10] In 2026, Buffalo Toronto Public Media reported that he was one of three East Side advocates honored in a mural at Eugene V. Debs Hall, where he was remembered as a "cherished organizer and outspoken Erie County legislator."[11]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "2025-K242: Mourning the death of Greg Olma, distinguished citizen, committed public servant, and devoted member of his community". New York State Senate. 2025-03-24. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
- ↑ "Previous Serving Legislators". Erie County Legislature. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
- ↑ "MEETING NO. 1 January 4, 2001" (PDF). Erie County Legislature. 2001-01-04. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
- ↑ "MEETING NO. 1 January 8, 2002" (PDF). Erie County Legislature. 2002-01-08. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
- ↑ Powell, Betsy. "Saving Buffalo From Extinction". City Limits. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
- ↑ "At heart, what Erie County Legislator Greg Olma wanted most was the revival of his impoverished home district on Buffalo's Polish East Side". The Buffalo News. 2025-03-20. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
- ↑ "University Express Fall 2015 Class Schedule" (PDF). Erie County University Express. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
- ↑ "WNY delegation to join US, international observers of Ukraine elections". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
- ↑ "Primary 2024 Canvass Book (Democratic)". Erie County Board of Elections. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
- ↑ "Greg B. Olma Obituary Mar 14, 2025". Pietszak Funeral Home. Retrieved 2026-06-28.
- ↑ "New East Side mural honors influential neighborhood advocates". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. 2026-05-01. Retrieved 2026-06-28.